Half a Kentmere Round!

Yoke, Ill Bell & Froswick from Kentmere village, returning via Kentmere reservoir

10 miles 2800ft

Parking by St Cuthbert's church in Kentmere....

....for a couple of photos before setting off....

....up the Garburn Pass bridleway....

where I spotted these red deer well camouflaged against the dead bracken

I left the Garburn pass before the summit to take the short cut by Buck Crag with a view down the Kentmere valley

Arriving on the wide ridge leading to Yoke (fell) looking across to Low Pike on the Fairfield ridge

Now on Yoke summit 2448ft looking at Rainsborrow  Crag...

.....and  Windermere

Looking back to Yoke along the ridge from Ill Bell summit 2476ft....

....and ahead to Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag and High Street

 A view to a distant snow covered Fairfield on the way to....

.....Froswick summit 2362ft  and Thornthwaite Crag  with just a little of Ullswater seen to its left

Zooming in on Ullswater...

....as I started the descent to Kentmere reservoir

Looking down the infant river Kent to where it enters the reservoir

Passing the reservoir as I headed down the valley....

....and looked back where I'd come from

I took a short detour to wander through the old quarry workings....

.....and again....

....before sitting down back in St Cuthberts churchyard for, as last week, another very late lunch!

Another wonderful walk but only half of the 'Horse Shoe' as I had an appt to keep later in the afternoon back at home. I must return again soon and finish the other half! 

 A walk on some of the Lakeland Northern fells: Dodd, Carlside, Longside Edge & Ullock Pike  

9.5 miles 3200ft

I parked near to the Mirehouse estate and entered Dodd wood to start the climb to Dodd fell 

A well placed bench to take a break on the climb, with a view across the valley....

....and take a photo of the distinctive Causey pike

The memorial stone on Dodd summit 1647ft

Zooming in on Grisedale pike with Hopegill head to the right

Bassenthwaite lake from Dodd

After leaving the summit I descended to take the path leading to Carl Side summit

Looking back to Dodd.....

....before arriving at Carl Side summit 2448ft with the path to Skiddaw summit (but not for me today)

Looking south to Skiddaw 'Little Man'....

....and then my route ahead to Longside Edge and Ullock Pike

The path along Longside Edge with Bassenthwaite lake below

A lone walker on Ullock Pike summit 2267ft

Looking back down to Dodd with the central Lakeland fells behind....

....and straight down to St Bega's church on the side of the lake where I intended taking lunch....

.....continuing the descent 

Looking back to Ullock Pike & Longside Edge

Arriving at St Bega's church....

....and Bassenthwaite

....and again

....and a very late lunch at St Bega's church!

Finally back to the car  near the 17th century    Mirehouse which is still a family home but whose estate and gardens are open to the public.

The route along Longside Edge has always been one of my favourite walks, usually on the way to or from Skiddaw. Combining it today with Dodd & Carl Side made an excellent day's walking which I would highly recommend.

 More from Lancashire!

Boulsworth hill circuit from Laneshaw Bridge via Wycollar,  Atom Panoptican, & Trawden Forest.

11miles 2100ft

I parked at Ball Grove recreation area & picnic site with the very bright sun still low in the sky....

....and again....

....and again

Crossing the Colne Water river to reach....

.... the hamlet of  Wycollar in 'Bronte country'

Crossing the pack horse bridge to reach the ruins of Wycollar Hall, 'Ferndean Manor' of Jane Eyre fame.

'Ferndean Manor' again

"The manor-house of Ferndean was a building of considerable antiquity, moderate size, and no achitectural pretensions, deep buried in a wood"    (Jane Eyre)

Leaving Wycollar I climbed up to....

....the 'Atom' panoptican, one of 5 different panopticans in East Lancashire.....

.....I could see Boulsworth hill on the horizon from the climb

Boulsworth Hill again from inside the Atom!

The Atom with Pendle Hill on the horizon

Leaving the Atom I crossed Deep Clough and into the area known as The Forest of Trawden....

....and climbed to 'Weather Stones' on Boulsworth Hill.... before continuing across the summit to....

.....Lad Law trig point standing at the highest point 

1696ft

There are many of these rocky outcrops on the summit

On the descent I could see Coldwell upper & lower reservoirs

The descent continued down Trawden Brook....

....with plenty of bright spring flowers along the path

Passing the huge Winewall Jam Pan...

....and the Winewall spring

Finally arriving back at Ball Grove recreation area where a lovely cafe awaits!!!

This lovely spell of weather at the moment has afforded a great opportunity to enjoy the some delightful walking in my home county